1992
Tommy Johnson, a charismatic con man, accidentally gets elected to Congress after his team doctors campaign materials for a deceased candidate with the same name, Jeff Johnson, leading voters to believe they are re-electing the incumbent. In Washington, Tommy quickly learns the ropes of political corruption from powerful Congressman Dick Dodge, who offers Tommy a seat on the Power and Industry committee in exchange for his cooperation. Tommy's initial focus is on personal gain through lobbying and influence peddling, but his perspective begins to shift after meeting idealistic legislative director Celia Kirby and witnessing the plight of constituents suffering from a cancer cluster caused by power lines. After Congressman Elijah Marshall, Celia's uncle and an ethical rival to Dodge, is severely injured in a car crash orchestrated by Dodge, Tommy decides to use his con artist skills to expose Dodge and his corrupt associate, Olaf Andersen.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Tommy Johnson, a small‐time con man, stumbles into Congress by default and quickly learns to play its dirty game.
Open full beat sheetTommy Johnson is listed as Protagonist / Con Man / Congressman. A charismatic, quick-witted con man who accidentally gets elected to Congress. In the parsed data, Tommy Johnson is connected to 89 scenes, 38 dialogue lines, 40 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
89 scenes / 38 dialogue linesDick Dodge is listed as Antagonist / Congressman. A powerful, corrupt, and manipulative senior congressman. In the parsed data, Dick Dodge is connected to 33 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
33 scenes / 13 dialogue linesLoretta is listed as Tommy's accomplice. A stunning woman who assists Tommy in his cons. In the parsed data, Loretta is connected to 30 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 81.
30 scenes / 1 dialogue linesArthur Reinhardt is listed as Tommy's Administrative Assistant. A straight-arrow congressional staffer. In the parsed data, Arthur Reinhardt is connected to 20 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
20 scenes / 2 dialogue linesOlaf Andersen is listed as Chairman of Gulf Coast Power. A wealthy and corrupt lobbyist/executive. In the parsed data, Olaf Andersen is connected to 14 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
14 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCelia Kirby is listed as Legislative Director of Pro Bono. An intelligent and idealistic public interest advocate. In the parsed data, Celia Kirby is connected to 13 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 42.
13 scenes / 12 dialogue linesElijah Marshall is listed as Congressman. An idealistic congressman and rival to Dodge. In the parsed data, Elijah Marshall is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 53.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesArmando is listed as Tommy's accomplice. A beefy, unshaven associate of Tommy. In the parsed data, Armando is connected to 10 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
10 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGrandma is listed as Tommy's grandmother. A limber, proud senior citizen. In the parsed data, Grandma is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHattie Rifkin is listed as Silver Foxes leader. A high-energy, salty senior citizen. In the parsed data, Hattie Rifkin is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 64.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTommy and his accomplices attempt to win a ring from a claw machine.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, ArmandoEstablishment of the hotel setting.
Tommy works as a waiter while scouting the room.
Tommy JohnsonLoretta enters the hotel.
LorettaTommy continues his waiter act.
Tommy JohnsonLoretta registers for the event.
LorettaLoretta loses her ring.
LorettaTommy interacts with Zeke Bridges.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeSecurity is called for the ring.
LorettaJohnson gives a speech.
Dick Dodge, Olaf AndersenTommy is confronted by security.
Tommy JohnsonBruno pays Tommy.
Tommy JohnsonJohnson and Andersen discuss corruption.
Tommy Johnson, Dick Dodge, Olaf AndersenThe team celebrates the successful con.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, ArmandoTommy visits his grandmother.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, GrandmaTommy, disguised as Professor Franklin, visits the widow of the real Jeff Johnson to collect campaign materials.
Tommy Johnson, GrandmaTommy's team doctors the campaign materials to remove the 'RE-' prefix.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Armando, Olaf AndersenVera Johnson watches Tommy's campaign ad on TV.
Tommy JohnsonThe Silver Foxes and Tommy's team plaster the district with campaign materials.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Armando, Hattie Rifkin, Olaf AndersenThe town is covered in campaign materials.
Voters arrive at the polling place.
Loretta, Armando, Hattie Rifkin, Olaf AndersenVoters cast their ballots for Johnson.
Tommy is declared the winner and gives a speech.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Armando, Hattie Rifkin, Olaf Andersen, GrandmaTommy flies to Washington.
Tommy JohnsonTommy meets Arthur Reinhardt at the airport.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtThe team celebrates at the airport bar.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtTommy discusses hiring Reinhardt as his Administrative Assistant.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtTommy and his team arrive at their new office.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtTommy and Loretta arrive at the new members' dinner at Union Station.
Tommy Johnson, LorettaTommy meets other new congressmen and begins networking.
Tommy Johnson, LorettaTommy meets lobbyist Ken Korngold.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Olaf AndersenTommy meets Congressman Mike Strangland (Iowa).
Tommy JohnsonTommy collects business cards and meets Tommy O'Connor.
Tommy Johnson, LorettaDick Dodge gives a speech to the new members.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeDodge invites Tommy for a nightcap.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Dick DodgeTommy and Dodge walk toward the Capitol.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeDodge unlocks his office door.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeDodge questions Tommy's motives for running for Congress.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeTommy and Loretta organize business cards.
Tommy Johnson, LorettaTommy calls Korngold to propose product placement.
Tommy Johnson, Olaf AndersenThe new members are sworn in.
Tommy Johnson, GrandmaTommy hosts a reception for lobbyists.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Celia Kirby, Arthur ReinhardtDodge confronts Elijah Marshall about the ethics bill.
Dick Dodge, Elijah MarshallDodge offers Tommy a seat on the Power and Industry committee.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeTommy joins the committee.
Tommy Johnson, Dick Dodge, Arthur ReinhardtTommy and Dodge attend an EPA oversight hearing where Tommy is introduced as a new member.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeLobbyists wait to see Tommy while Loretta manages the desk and Van Dyke serves snacks.
Loretta, Arthur ReinhardtTommy gives a speech at a poultry association breakfast.
Tommy Johnson, ArmandoTommy walks through the Capitol tunnels, greeting staff.
Tommy JohnsonTommy returns to his office and prepares to meet with Celia.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtTommy meets with Celia and Ira to discuss policy issues.
Tommy Johnson, Celia Kirby, Arthur ReinhardtTommy plays basketball and then joins a poker game.
Tommy Johnson, Elijah MarshallTommy and Marshall discuss politics and ethics.
Tommy Johnson, Elijah MarshallTommy casts a vote without knowing what it is for.
Tommy JohnsonTommy explains his vote to a group of school children.
Tommy JohnsonTommy has lunch with a lobbyist to discuss PAC money.
Tommy JohnsonCelia briefs Tommy on policy while Reinhardt feeds him lines.
Tommy Johnson, Celia Kirby, Arthur ReinhardtTommy and other members attend a trip hosted by a gun lobbyist.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeTommy and other members go hunting with automatic weapons.
Tommy JohnsonTommy plays in a celebrity golf tournament.
Tommy JohnsonTommy and Celia walk and discuss their lives.
Tommy Johnson, Celia KirbyTommy and Celia attend a sermon by Marshall.
Tommy Johnson, Celia Kirby, Elijah MarshallTommy discovers Marshall is Celia's uncle.
Tommy Johnson, Celia Kirby, Elijah MarshallTommy is confronted by senior citizens.
Tommy Johnson, Hattie RifkinDodge lectures Tommy on the importance of re-election.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeDodge explains the high re-election rate of incumbents to Tommy and suggests co-sponsoring a universal health insurance bill to appease the Silver Foxes.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeConstituents Ellen and Mickey Juba confront Tommy's staff, leading to a reveal of Mickey's medical condition.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Arthur Reinhardt, ArmandoThe Jubas explain the cancer cluster in their neighborhood caused by power lines.
Tommy Johnson, Arthur ReinhardtTommy visits the neighborhood with Celia and the Jubas, witnessing the proximity of power lines to the school.
Tommy Johnson, Celia KirbyTommy holds a press conference about the power lines; Dodge arrives to feign support.
Tommy Johnson, Dick Dodge, Arthur ReinhardtTommy and Celia watch the news coverage of the press conference.
Tommy Johnson, Celia KirbyDodge hosts a meeting with lobbyists to pressure Tommy into dropping the power line inquiry.
Tommy Johnson, Dick Dodge, Olaf AndersenTommy arrives home.
Tommy JohnsonTommy avoids telling Celia about his meeting with Dodge.
Tommy Johnson, Celia KirbyDodge dismisses Eli Marshall's complaints about ethics.
Dick Dodge, Elijah MarshallDodge tasks Tommy with making peace with Marshall.
Tommy Johnson, Dick DodgeTommy attempts to mediate with Marshall; Loretta and Reinhardt arrive.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Arthur Reinhardt, Elijah MarshallMarshall and Loretta sing while driving; Tommy is in the back.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Elijah MarshallTommy gets into the car with Marshall and Loretta.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Elijah MarshallLoretta spots a prostitute; the car crashes.
Tommy Johnson, Loretta, Elijah MarshallListen carefully. Tell the ambulance to take you to Walter Reed. It's a privilege they give congressmen. It's also the only hospital without a bunch of goddam reporters shtupping the nurses in exchange for leaks. They'll keep it quiet. I'll handle the police. You go home and keep your mouth shut.
I'm a con man. A small-time con man. Do you know what it was like for me to come to Congress? It was for like dying and going to heaven. If I did back home the kind of scams I've run in Congress, my ass would be in Sing Sing. But no, I'm not a crook -- up here, I'm a distinguished gentleman!
Not me, you jerk -- Mickey Juba! You caved on those power lines, didn't you? I knew it. Damn it, I knew it! What did you get for it? Tommy O'Connor's box at the Redskins? Someone slip you a condo in the Virgin Islands?
And to the man whose pockets are bulging and whose soul is empty... the Lord grants no 90-day extension!
Congressman? I'd like to introduce myself. Ken Korngold. National Distilled Spirits Association.
Dodge wants to run for Speaker. And he ain't gonna make it without votes from the black caucus.
You don't know what percent of the incumbents who ran last time got re-elected, do you?
This EPA oversight hearing of the Committee on Power and Industry will come to order.
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